As of late body contouring surgeries have become more and more popular. Plastic surgery is an industry that’s booming by the year. Millions of people looking to improve their looks, some are looking for a drastic change to their physical appearance, others just need to lighten up the signs of ageing. There are multiple surgical procedures that can help with that. Besides face lifts and tummy tucks, women kept asking plastic surgeons for other available options when it comes to reducing fat in certain parts of the body or eliminating cellulite.
The extended tummy tuck addresses all areas of excess skin on the abdomen, hips, and thighs while also removing excess fat deposits in these areas. This procedure requires making incisions from hipbone to hipbone around each side of the pelvis. It also requires creating a horizontal incision across the top of each hipbone and removing excess skin from this area as well as any other areas where it may be needed such as underarms or inner thighs). The lower body lift only addresses areas where there is significant excess
Read on to learn more on Extended Tummy Tuck Vs Lower Body Lift, Exercising After Tummy Tuck Surgery and Toning Abs After Tummy Tuck
Extended Tummy Tuck Vs Lower Body Lift
Sometimes, when trying to lose weight through exercise and diet, you can only get so far. Each patient responds differently to weight loss depending on where pockets of fat are located within their bodies. Some patients can lose significant amounts of body fat from the abdomen, while others tend to lose more from the thighs and buttocks.
In addressing pockets of fat around the body that do not respond to exercise and diet, there are two cosmetic procedures plastic surgeons recommend. A body lift is designed to tighten loose skin or flesh around the body, particularly the lower back, buttocks and the thighs. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, is designed to remove excess fat from the abdominal area.
So which procedure is best for you? This article will explore the pros and cons associated with both surgical procedures.
What is a Body Lift?
A body lift is recommended to those who need to remove fat but also tighten loose skin around the abdominal area (sides or lower back), buttocks or thighs. Aging, genetics, pregnancy and/or significant weight fluctuation can cause poor tissue elasticity and visible sagging of skin. A body lift is designed to shape and contour the patients body, focusing on solving poor skin elasticity.
What does a Body Lift involve?
During a body lift, you will be put under general anesthesia and then the plastic surgeon will begin the procedure by creating incisions on the targeted area, from there, the excess fat will be removed and the sagging skin will be lifted. Deep sutures within underlying tissues help to form and support the newly shaped body contours.
The procedure lasts for 4-5 hours. Body lift results are visible almost immediately but 100% of desired contour will show once you are fully recovered and all results vary.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a common procedure that reduces excess fat and skin, but unlike a body lift, also helps build or weakened abdominal muscles. You will achieve those firm abs you may not have been able to achieve solely through diet and exercise. Women who have excess or sagging abdominal skin due to pregnancy can benefit from a tummy tuck. To maintain the best results from your tummy tuck, you must keep a healthy lifestyle and avoid weight fluctuations.
What does a Tummy Tuck involve?
During a tummy tuck, you will be put under general anesthesia and then the plastic surgeon will begin the procedure by creating horizontal incisions on abdominal area, from there, the excess the excess skin will be lifted. Once the skin is lifted, the underlying ab muscles are repaired. Depending on how much skin you have, especially in the upper ab area, a second incision may be necessary around the naval. The plastic surgeon will close the incisions using sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips.
Within a week or two after surgery, you will be able to confidently stand tall and reveal your flatter and firmer abs.
Which procedure is best for you?
The decision to have a body lift or a tummy tuck will depend on the areas of concern as well as the elasticity in your skin and your ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
If your weight loss initiatives are not yielding results in many parts of your lower body or you are seeing an excess amount of sagging skin due to poor elasticity, a body lift may be the solution for you.
A tummy tuck is the best choice for patients who are focused on achieving a flatter or firmer abdominal area and are able to keep a healthy weight after surgery to maintain the tummy tuck results.
Still not sure which one is best for you? Don’t worry – an experienced plastic surgeon will recommend the best procedure for you.
Exercising After Tummy Tuck Surgery
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, is one of the most transformative cosmetic surgery procedures. It reduces fat and skin in the abdominal region and can also tighten muscles. However, it is also one of the most invasive plastic surgery procedures. Understandably, many patients inspired by their post-abdominoplasty physique are eager to get back to their fitness routine. But it is essential to allow the body to recover and slowly return to exercise to prevent injury.
In this post, we will discuss when tummy tuck patients should expect to return to their gym or their favorite form of exercise.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOVERY
Abdominoplasty is an invasive procedure that requires an extended recovery period. Your general health status (including age and fitness), the extent of the surgical procedure, and your adherence to the doctor’s post-operative orders impact the required length of your recovery time.
The term “tummy tuck” is a lay term used to describe a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the abdomen. A wide variety of surgical techniques can be used in a tummy tuck ranging from a “skin only” procedure to an extended tummy tuck with muscle tightening and additional liposuction. Generally speaking, the more extensive the procedure, the longer the recovery time to return to a normal workout routine. However, muscle tightening has the biggest impact on the time it will take to return to a routine workout program.
All patients are unique individuals and have different degrees of youthfulness, health, and fitness. Generally speaking, the younger, healthier and more fit a patient is before surgery the faster they will heal after surgery. Each patient also has unique qualities to their skin, fascia, and muscle that may allow for a more rapid return to exercise.
While every patient wants to minimize their recovery time, returning to exercise too soon may result in prolonged swelling, separation of your incisions, blood clots, infection, or the formation of excess scar tissue. You must follow your doctor’s orders, listen to your body, and be willing to hold off on activity if necessary.
EXERCISE AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY: WHAT TO EXPECT
The timeline below offers a general idea of a typical patient’s return to exercise following a tummy tuck procedure. Your recovery may look differently depending on a myriad of factors including the abdominoplasty technique performed, your unique pain tolerance, and your body’s recovery response. You should discuss with your plastic surgeon what your unique individual timetable will be.
First 24 Hours Post Surgery
The first 24 hours after your surgery are critical. Even the fittest patients may experience difficulty sitting up, lying down, or doing simple tasks. Now is the time to be patient, to rest, and to hydrate. Schedule a friend, family member, or another caretaker to help you move around your home.
But do get some movement. Walking for short distances promotes blood circulation and healing, and can prevent blood clots. Don’t be surprised if you need support, or if you cannot stand tall. It’s perfectly fine to keep a small bend at the waist and knees to avoid overstretching your stomach.
- Try sitting up, standing, and walking
- Do nothing else but rest
1-2 Weeks After Your Tummy Tuck
You’ll typically be wearing a compression garment during this time. Because your core is involved in nearly every movement you make, it may still be difficult to do simple tasks, such as standing or walking. You should, however, make an effort to move in a gentle, non-jarring way.
Extend the lengths of your walks by the end of week one. By the end of week 2, you might add in other light cardiovascular exercises. Choose activities that slightly elevate your heart rate without stressing your core. You want to avoid any jarring activity as well as any motion that twists or extends the abdomen. Stationary cycling, especially recumbent cycling, allows you to move your legs while remaining seated. This protects the abdominal muscles from overextending.
- Take longer walks
- Add in zero-impact cardio
- No yoga or full-body fitness
- Avoid stressing your core
3-4 Weeks After Your Tummy Tuck
By the third week, swelling begins to reduce significantly. If you haven’t yet explored longer walks or other zero-impact cardiovascular activities, you should. Continue to avoid strength training and other full-body movements that stress the muscles of the core. You are not yet ready for sit-ups. However, some of the more fit patients can perform straight leg lifts from lying down positions.
- Take even longer walks
- Add in low-impact cardio
- No yoga or full-body fitness
- Avoid stressing your core
4-6 Weeks After Your Tummy Tuck
Continue to slowly and steadily increase the intensity of your cardio. Around the one-month mark, low-impact activities such as walking, elliptical, and indoor cycling are still your best bet for daily movement. If you’re recovering well and your body is ready, try going for brisk walks, short runs, or otherwise increasing the impact level of your cardio training.
You may slowly add in strength training, but choose exercises that isolate the arms and lower body, without engaging the core. If you’re not an expert in weight training, it’s helpful to have a personal trainer who can help ensure you’re isolating the proper muscle groups. It is generally preferred to lift light weights for more repetitions.
- Slowly build cardio intensity and impact
- Add in mindful strength training
- Avoid sit-ups and stressing your core
6-8 Weeks After Your Tummy Tuck
By the 6-week mark, you’ll likely be cleared for all types of aerobic activity. Running and other moderate to high impact exercises should be ok, and you may add in yoga and other (gentle) full-body movements.
If you’re comfortable with cardio, you can proceed with strength training. Still, be careful with exercises that strain the abdominal wall. Free weights are preferred rather than weight machines, as they allow you to better isolate the targeted muscle group. Patients are typically back to their pre-surgery exercise routine after the 8-week mark, although each individual case will vary.
- Return to moderate or high impact cardio
- Isolated strength training is ok
- Avoid stressing your core
CAN I DO SIT-UPS OR CRUNCHES AFTER A TUMMY TUCK?
It’s common to feel eager about exercising the core to maintain your new contour. Keep in mind that core-focused exercises like sit-ups or crunches stress the abdomen directly and may cause irreversible damage if done too soon. The majority of patients can resume sit-ups and crunches 12 weeks following tummy tuck surgery, but it is always best to discuss with your surgeon your unique surgery before you begin targeted abdominal muscle workouts.
When you’re ready to add in abdominal strengthening, be patient and careful. Crunches and other supine exercises that support the back allow you to control and isolate the abdominal muscles without overstretching the area. As you get your strength back, you’ll be able to introduce a wider range of movement.
BUT EXERCISE IS IMPORTANT!
Because your abdominoplasty recovery may last a good two months, returning to daily exercise can be challenging. Still, you need to exercise to preserve your tummy tuck results. Until you’re cleared by your surgeon for physical activity, eat healthy whole foods, and remind yourself a new lifestyle is on its way. Minimizing any weight gain after your surgery is one of the best things you can do to maintain the results of your abdominoplasty procedure.
Toning Abs After Tummy Tuck
Many San Diego men and women who decide to get a tummy tuck surgery are doing so because they want to either regain their former, more contoured shape, or because they have a new commitment to their health. Therefore, one of the common questions that Dr. Kaweski receives from her tummy tuck patients is about abdominal exercises. When is it safe to resume them? And what type of exercises are best for a post-op tummy tuck patient?
Step 1: Get on Your Feet As Soon As Possible
A tummy tuck is a major abdominal surgery for a San Diego patient, especially if he or she had separated abdominal muscles repaired, meaning he or she has sutures in their abdominal muscles. Dr. Kaweski recommends that the first step towards returning to exercise post tummy tuck is to get up on your feet, typically the day after your surgery. About one week out, you should be able to walk outside of your home. If you find that, during this timeframe, you are having difficulty performing these tasks, make sure to contact Dr. Kaweski’s office.
Step 2: Get Behind the Wheel
While not an exercise, the next step for San Diego tummy tuck patients’ recovery process is to get behind the wheel of their cars. Dr. Kaweski usually recommends this after about 2 weeks post-op, as long as you either are no longer taking your pain medications to avoid the side effects like drowsiness which make it difficult for you to operate heavy machinery like a car.
Step 3: Get Back to the Gym, But Take it Lightly
About 6 weeks after your tummy tuck surgery, San Diego patients can return to the gym to perform light exercises. These include calisthenics, cardio and easy weight-lifting. Just make sure you don’t overdo it. And if you experience any pain in your abdomen while performing these exercises, stop right away and avoid for several days. Then try to restart the activity.
Step 4: Get that Tummy Moving
About 3 months after your San Diego tummy tuck, you can start trying to tone your abs with exercises like sit-ups, crunches, and planks. Again, take it easy at first. If you notice an unnecessary amount of pain associated with these activities, you’ll want to stop immediately and see Dr. Kaweski at the Aesthetic Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery to determine if you are experiencing any complications from your surgery.
Remember, Everyone Is Different
The important thing for San Diego tummy tuck patients to remember is that the steps mentioned above are just recommendations. Just as every tummy tuck treatment plan is different, everyone will heal differently, and you will need to listen to your body so that you don’t push yourself too hard post-operatively. Dr. Kaweski understands that you want to augment the results of your surgery with proper diet and exercise, but it should happen in due time.